Uwins Island facts for kids
Uwins Island is a special place located off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia. It is known for its unique wildlife and plants. This island is part of the Bonaparte Archipelago, a group of islands in the ocean.
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About Uwins Island
Uwins Island is a beautiful island that plays an important role in protecting rare animals. It is a natural home for many creatures that are hard to find elsewhere.
Where is Uwins Island?
Uwins Island is found in the ocean off the coast of Western Australia. It sits within the Bonaparte Archipelago. This group of islands is located east of Hanover Bay and west of Munster Water. It's a remote and wild part of Australia.
How Big is Uwins Island?
Uwins Island is quite large! It covers an area of 3,247 hectares (8,024 acres). To give you an idea, that's about the size of 3,247 football fields. This large size helps it support many different types of plants and animals.
Plants and Animals
Uwins Island is a very important place for nature. It has special plants and animals, especially some that are rare or hard to find.
Amazing Animals
The island is home to several animals that are considered threatened. This means their populations are shrinking in other places. On Uwins Island, they have a safe place to live and grow. Some of these special animals include:
- The northern quoll: This is a small, meat-eating marsupial. It looks a bit like a cat or a large mouse.
- The golden bandicoot: This small marsupial has a pointed snout and strong claws for digging. It has golden-brown fur.
- The golden-backed tree-rat: This rat lives in trees and has a distinctive golden patch on its back.
Even more exciting, Uwins Island is home to two types of wallabies that are rarely seen on the mainland. These are:
- The Little Rock-wallaby: This small wallaby lives among rocks and cliffs.
- The Warabi: This is another type of rock-wallaby. It is also very shy and not often seen.
Having these animals on Uwins Island makes it a vital place for their survival.
Island Plants
Even though the island is mostly dry, it has some important plant life. Small areas of mangroves grow on Uwins Island. Mangroves are special trees and shrubs that grow in salty water. They are important because they provide shelter for young fish and other sea creatures. The types of mangroves found here include:
These plants help to create a healthy environment for the island's unique wildlife.
